Women’s Centre to put on performance of Vagina Monologues

NEW GLASGOW – From off-Broadway to Glasgow Square. The Pictou County Women’s Centre is bringing Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues back to New Glasgow to celebrate International Women’s Day and to support V-Day, an organization founded by Ensler that focuses on eradicating violence against women.

Meghan Breen, centre, rehearses her monologue during a Vagina Monologues practice session at Eventide on Sunday.

“We have done some different events in past years, and this year we just thought we would try something different,” said fundraising coordinator Meghan Breen. “We also thought the event would be a great way to raise some funds for the Women's Centre, which provides an invaluable resource to the women and girls of Pictou County, while providing a fun night out for our audience members.”

The award-winning play is based on Ensler’s interview with more than 200 women, highlighting women’s humour, pain, and power.

It’s been to Pictou County in the past, but not for a number of years, Breen said.

The monologues range from the humorous, including one about a lawyer turned dominatrix, to the powerful, such as Ensler’s own monologue about being in the room while her daughter in law gives birth.

“There is one about a woman who attends a vagina workshop, and she is the most prim and proper woman, not the type you would expect to find at a vagina workshop,” Breen said.

The last monologue focuses on V-Day’s chosen cause this year, One Billion Rising For Justice. One Billion Rising encourages survivors of violence to gather in community spaces and share their stories through art, dance, music, spoken word and testimonies.

Ten per cent of the proceeds go to One Billion Rising.

“The spotlight cause this year, One Billion Rising, which centers around ending violence against women and girls, spoke to us as well, and is a cause that is near and dear to our hearts at the Women's Centre.”

The remainder goes into programming at the Women’s Centre.

“There are about 20 women involved in the production this year, on top of the staff and board of the Women's Centre,” said Breen. “They are quite a diverse group of strong women from the community. I am sure most audience members will recognize someone they know in the cast.”

The play runs on March 8, beginning at 7 p.m.

There will also be a silent auction with prizes from local businesses, and students from Paisley College will be on hand doing mini services.

Tickets are on sale at Glasgow Square, the Women’s Centre and at ticketpro.ca.

amanda.jess@ngnews.ca

On Twitter: @NGNewsAmanda

Meghan Breen, centre, rehearses her monologue during a Vagina Monologues practice session at Eventide on Sunday.